Miss Moço ain’t a businesswoman. She’s a business, woman!
The enterprising drag queen has sold everything from scrunchies to candles under the Miss Moço banner. She launched a mega-successful brunch series at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, founded her own drag pageant while living in Portugal and served as part owner of the wine bar and flower shop Miss Pippa’s. She’s even hosted seminars offering financial advice for other drag performers.
When her streetwear design was trashed by the judges on the first episode of the third season of Canada’s Drag Race, she saw a business opportunity rather than a setback and dropped a limited edition tote bag inspired by the dress. Miss Moço may have sashayed away from the competition early, but don’t count her out just yet. If her resumé is any indication, in the future she’ll still be counting cheques.
After her elimination, Miss Moço caught up with Xtra’s After the Sashay to talk drag, divorce and her roster of famous friends.
Miss Moço! I saw you last night at the Gladstone Hotel and you received a rapturous standing ovation after your elimination. What did it feel like to receive all that love?
I planned to be at the Gladstone for that episode because it’s my home in the city. I knew I’d feel the love just being there. You can’t really prepare for the response and I honestly don’t recall what was happening further than the little laptop in front of me I was watching the show on [during the viewing party].
I was just like, “It’s done. It’s over.” Miss Fiercalicious was next to me and she’s like, “Stand up, girl!”
You said your introvert came out and you didn’t like being on set. What made filming so tough for you?
Getting on the show was something I’d been looking forward to. I was so excited. I knew I had what it took to make it to the end. I got there and didn’t realize the emotional toll [the competition] takes on you. I’m the kind of person who walks into a room and I’m quiet, I observe and I try to get my bearings. You walk into Drag Race and it’s like, “K, let’s go! Quick! Quick! Quick!”’
It’s a pressure cooker, and I didn’t have time to sort things out. I retreated into myself and it made me really uncomfortable. Everyone around was so incredible and amazing and I felt safe while I was on set. It was more of an internal struggle.
Toronto was in the bottom again! What’s going on with Team Toronto?!
Every season, there are too many Toronto girls or there are not enough Toronto girls. Hopefully this will settle it. There are too many Toronto girls, but at least they’re all in the bottom and all going home! Maybe we just balanced the argument scale out.
Some fans online think you won that lip sync! What do you think?
I don’t know to be honest. I was not in a good headspace at that moment, so all I can think about while watching it is how I was feeling in that moment.
Why didn’t you want to be paired with Miss Fiercalicious for the challenge?
I love her so much! She is an incredible person and so kind, which you saw at the show last night. She was there and instantly she felt me tense up and she grabbed up to me, like, “Hey, I’m here for you,” hugging me. I do really love her.
Do I want to work with her in that capacity? Probably not. She’s loud, I’m not outspoken, I choose my words. Heads would be butting.
Your Instagram has more celebrities than the judging table! How did you make so many famous friends?
They’re just attracted to me, I guess, I don’t know! The biggest, Cate Blanchett, came to my drag brunch a few years ago. Then I was asked to surprise her with a performance at the wrap party for Mrs. America, which she was in town filming. Wardrobe custom-made me a replica of her look from the show, so as she was giving a speech, I surprised her. Sarah Paulson, Elizabeth Banks and Rose Byrne were all there, as well, so I got to meet them, too.
And you performed “A Little Bit Alexis” for Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy. What was her reaction?
She loved it! I’m pretty sure I did a wig snatch. We bonded after. I tried to get her to come to the gay village with me, but she had other things to do. She was an absolute sweetheart.
You recently went through a divorce. Has that changed your drag—has Miss Moço sultry-transformed into a divorcée?
Y’all are just pulling out all the dirty laundry! Yes, it’s true. The divorce has definitely given me a new lease on life if you will. I upgraded my drag: what you see now is Moço 3.0. I just recently bought myself my first condo. I’m moving forward. I feel like I’m on the right path and even with this elimination, I know everything is working out.
You’re single, but are you ready to mingle? Should potential suitors slide into the DMs?
Always! I love a little intimate DM.
You’ve got a reputation as an “entrepreneuress.” How’d you get so good with money, honey?
My mom was an inspiration. Growing up, she was always very adamant about not having debt and being smart about your choices. She really instilled that in me and being mindful with my spending.
You’ve got quite the resumé as a model, too, from starring in a Roots campaign to walking and modelling alongside Coco Rocha. Are we going to see you strut down the runway as Miss Moço any time soon?
Yes, I did a Roots campaign with my mom! I think that was 2019. The shoot with Coco Rocha—I was modelling in Asia. I think we were in Singapore. I was portraying Andy Warhol in the shoot. Shout to Coco Rocha, a Canadian supermodel star!
That would be on my vision board, modelling specifically for Victoria Beckham. Victoria, if you’re watching After the Sashay, sis, I’d love to walk in your show.
As a business queen, you’re building an empire. What’s the next building block?
I’m continuing with my drag brunch at the Gladstone House every Sunday. That’s the foundation of my drag currently. I’ll be off to Lisbon, Portugal, to host my drag pageant that I created in 2017, Miss Drag Lisboa. And for everything else, y’all have to tune into my socials at @missmoco on Instagram, @heymissmoco on Twitter and TikTok.
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